California Camp Trip

[alanmcorcoran]

Got back Sat from my planned "big trip." Ended up doing 2055 miles in 8 days, 564 of them on the last day. Got in a lot of practice! I took about 350 photos, but most of the interesting things happened when I was on the bike. That's fellow member "Moedad" (in the Rock Store photo) who escorted me out of "The OC" last Saturday.

[pbss:36yciv5i]http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/alanmcorcoran/CAMCtrip/?action=view&current=a70cb69e.pbw[/pbss:36yciv5i]

[3-D Video]

Wow! What a great trip, and great photos. Thanks!!!
But, they sure made me miss my home state... Good stuff :2tup: :2tup: :rawk:

[dhgeyer]

You've got some great pictures there, Alan! Looks like you had some pretty good weather. Thanks for posting the photos.

[Water Warrior 2]

Looking good Alan. The pics are very nice and show a lot of different locations and points of interest. The Power Ranger suit looks good on you too. Did the actual camping part of the trip work as well as you expected ? Any do's and don't's for next time ?

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks Water: Here is roughly where I went (google limits you to 25 stops)

[Water Warrior 2]

That is a nice route and very little slab riding. Quite a variety of terrain too from mountains to coastal roads. Good thing the alphabet is not shorter. lol.

[alanmcorcoran]

Water: Here are some Things I Learned...

1) Actually have a consistent technique for riding twisties now. Approach, throttle control, etc.
2) If camping, eat stuff that doesn't require dishes, pots, pans, utensils (or cleanup.)
3) Gas up at a half tank in the Boonies. Trust me.
4) Avoid Fridays, especially Friday afternoon and evening.
5) Keep your "layers" in a handy spot (saddlebag is good.)
6) Riding is pointless, but if you go places you've never been and ride challenging roads (to improve), it is more interesting.
7) Riding is not the same as driving.
8) 30 miles of twisty = 90 miles of highway.
9) Plan 2-4 "sessions" of riding per day with breaks/meals in between. Don't ride all day. Pick interesting roads for "sessions".
10) Some days are mostly fun days, some days are mostly "getting there" days. Try to maximize the first.
11) If you really hammer you can do 600 miles in one day. Don't plan on doing it more than once if you are over 50.
12) Tires are expensive and they don't last long.
13) Always check that your saddlebags are really closed.
14) Key in ignition, then jacket, then earplugs, then gator, then helmet, then glasses, then gloves.
15) Don't read books about mass murderers loose in the National Park at night in your tent in the middle of nowhere.
16) Bears are cute, and can run very fast.
17) Eat where the locals eat, but don't piss them off. The food and service is better and cheaper. Tip well.
18) Park your bike where you can see it.
19) Look for places where you can recharge your phone. Turn your phone off - (not on standby) when not in use.
20) Riding is more fun than camping. Plan accordingly.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

That is a nice route and very little slab riding. Quite a variety of terrain too from mountains to coastal roads. Good thing the alphabet is not shorter. lol.

There were actually quite a few more "interesting" roads I went on than show on the Google Map. Here are ten of them that I remember in the order of awesomeness:

1) Armstrong Woods - about 6 feet wide with impossible grade hairpins, loose gravel and eventually dirt. After I completed this one without dumping, I declared myself a newb no longer.
2) Stewarts Point Road. Runs from the Coast to Healdsburg. 47 miles of twisty, sometimes super twisty, only saw 4 cars, none in my direction. Lake Sonoma towards the civilized end.
3) Joy Road, Mountain View Road, River Road, Bodega Highway - all in Sonoma County. Joy was well named - like Space Mountain on a motorcycle. Almost got killed taking a picture on Mountain View when a guy rounded a hairpin and barely missed me. No more pictures on that road.
4) California 33 through lower Los Padres. Super twisty, steep, etc,
5) Kanan Dume and Mulholland, Malibu.
6) Route 180 to "Road's End" in Kings Canyon National Park. Stunning. Twisty. Gorgeous.
7) Route 120 over Tioga Pass (Yosemite National Park)
8) Route 128 from Cloverdale to Albion (Redwood highway). Passes through Booneville and Philo.
9) California 1 - still hard to beat, especially above San Fran.
10) Rte 395 - Not a nice road but hotter than hell and windy as hell and if it doesn't kill you will make you stronger (and sore.)

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Water: Here are some Things I Learned...

1) Actually have a consistent technique for riding twisties now. Approach, throttle control, etc.
Fun isn't it.
2) If camping, eat stuff that doesn't require dishes, pots, pans, utensils (or cleanup.)
When possible treat yourself to a nice eatery.
3) Gas up at a half tank in the Boonies. Trust me.
You need a Vstrom tank.
4) Avoid Fridays, especially Friday afternoon and evening.
I even hate that with my Ranger.
5) Keep your "layers" in a handy spot (saddlebag is good.)
Ran out of handy spots.
6) Riding is pointless, but if you go places you've never been and ride challenging roads (to improve), it is more interesting.
And a lot more fatiguing so we have to be doubtly careful.
7) Riding is not the same as driving.
Driving is like watching paint dry but with A/C included.
8) 30 miles of twisty = 90 miles of highway.
Ride the Dragon. 218 curves in 11 miles.
9) Plan 2-4 "sessions" of riding per day with breaks/meals in between. Don't ride all day. Pick interesting roads for "sessions".
Totally agree, you get a break and a change of posture.
10) Some days are mostly fun days, some days are mostly "getting there" days. Try to maximize the first.
Getting there days are like work and no play.
11) If you really hammer you can do 600 miles in one day. Don't plan on doing it more than once if you are over 50.
Just wait till you are 65 and plan a trip.
12) Tires are expensive and they don't last long.
But you do keep the economy happy and healthy.
13) Always check that your saddlebags are really closed.
I can relate to that.
14) Key in ignition, then jacket, then earplugs, then gator, then helmet, then glasses, then gloves.
A ritual leads to less oops.
15) Don't read books about mass murderers loose in the National Park at night in your tent in the middle of nowhere.
Nice hotels have a better class of killers.
16) Bears are cute, and can run very fast.
A moose does not need to run to be fast.
17) Eat where the locals eat, but don't piss them off. The food and service is better and cheaper. Tip well.
Truck stops or a chain you trust.
18) Park your bike where you can see it.
Yup, you will loose less stuff that way. Around here theft is considered a trade.
19) Look for places where you can recharge your phone. Turn your phone off - (not on standby) when not in use.
Always.
20) Riding is more fun than camping. Plan accordingly.
Haven't camped in 35 years for a reason.

21 ) Always carry a spare set of keys to all locks and bikes. You never know.

When is the next trip Alan ??

[Water Warrior 2]

After those last 10 roads you may well want to invest in a more adventure type bike. It isn't fast but have you ever looked at a 2 wheel drive Ural side car rig. You don't have to worry about picking them up.